This collection of records from local civil registry offices throughout the country includes birth, marriage, and death records for 1898 to 1980.

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Filipinas, El Registro Civil, Local

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The records will include the local copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates housed at the Bureau of Records Management in Manila, Philippines. It comprises records of birth, marriage, and death certificates created at local civil registry offices throughout the Philippines. Records are not available for all localities; the coverage varies by city/locality. Additional records will be added to this collection. Browse the collection in FamilySearch to determine current coverage. For local civil registration records for Metropolitan Manila, please see the collection "Philippines, Manila Civil Registration (Local), 1899-1980." Marriage and Death records are for the most part handwritten in English.

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== Record Description ==

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The recording of civil events in a person's life, such as birth, marriage and death, required valid evidence, therefore making these records very reliable.

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This collection of records from local civil registry offices throughout the country includes birth, marriage, and death records created at local civil registry offices throughout the Philippines for 1888-1983. Originals are housed at the Bureau of Records Management in Manila, Philippines.

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Until 1889, there was no central civil administration to collect, interpret, and preserve the civil registration records. Most vital records from before 1889 come from Catholic parish and diocesan archives.

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Records are not available for all localities; the coverage varies by city/locality.

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In 1889, the Spanish government created the Central Office of Statistics (Central Estadística). This subdivision of the Bureau of Civil Administration (Dirección General de Administración Civil) required each parish priest to periodically give the government a detailed list of the births, marriages, and deaths in his area. Although the Catholic clergy had previously maintained such records and even occasionally submitted them to the government, this was the first time that they had been required to regularly submit detailed reports. This system continued until the end of the Spanish administration in 1898.

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Some records are in English and some are in Spanish; see the section "For Help Reading these Records" for access to translation helps.

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After the Philippine Revolution of 1898, the church and state became separate. Within the first few years, officials responsible for civil registration were appointed in each municipality. In 1922, the Civil Records Centralization Act required “all municipal secretaries to submit quarterly reports on all registration matters to the Chief of the Division of Archives.” In 1930, civil registration became mandatory and, in 1932, the Bureau of Census and Statistics was created to oversee all civil registration in the Philippines. It was not until 1940 that most registrations began to be recorded.

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Additional records will be added to this collection as they become available.

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The records of birth, marriage and death provides important information of events in a person's life; therefore, it became necessary for legal authorities to record and keep these events in their citizens life, in formal books, for the benefit of civil and personal purposes.

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Browse the collection in FamilySearch to determine current coverage. For local civil registration records for Metropolitan Manila, please see the collection [[Philippines, Manila Civil Registration (FamilySearch Historical Records)]].

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For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A//api.familysearch.org/records/collection/1410394/waypoints Browse] link from the collection landing page.

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For the most part, the records are handwritten in English. For any written in Spanish, see the section "Help Reading these Records" below.

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=== Citation for This Collection ===

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=== Record Types ===

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The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

To search the birth records in this collection, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:

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'''When searching:''' As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

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*Names of parents

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Some record sets have indexes; these indexes were created at the end of the year. Copy errors could have been made in the index, so you want to find the actual record to verify the information is correct. Using the index is a helpful way to find the actual record.

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*Approximate year and place of baptism

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*Residence of parents

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To search the marriage records in this collection, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:

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See the sections below for tips and uses for searching and finding the record of your ancestor in this collection and using the information in the record.

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*Name of bride or groom

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If you are unable to find a record for your ancestor in this collection, see the corresponding section below.

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*Approximate year and place of marriage

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*Residence of bride or groom

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To search the death records in this collection, it would be helpful if you knew the following information:

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=== Search the Collection ===

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*Name of deceased

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'''To search by index:'''<br> Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

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*Approximate year and place of death

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*Residence of the deceased

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<br>

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'''To search by image:''' To browse the collection you will need to follow this series of links:<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Province" category<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Municipality" category<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Type" category<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Year Range" category which will take you to the images<br>

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==== Search the Collection ====

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Look at the image and compare the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

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To search the collection image by image select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page <br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Province"<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Municipality/Town"<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Type"<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Year Range" which will take you to the images<br> Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:

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=== For Help Reading these Records ===

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*There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.

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For help reading the Spanish-era records see the following guides:

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*You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.

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*Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

If you find a record that could be for your ancestor, compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

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When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family.

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'''For example:'''

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*Use the marriage date and place as the basis for compiling a new family group or for verifying existing information.

*Use the marriage date and place as the basis for compiling a new family group or for verifying existing information.

*Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth of each partner to find a couple's birth records and parents' names.

*Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth of each partner to find a couple's birth records and parents' names.

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*Use the residence and names of the parents to locate church records.

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*Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find the family in census records [[Philippines Census]].

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*Use the residence and names of the parents to locate church (see “Related Wiki Articles” section below) and land records [[Philippines Land and Property]].

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*Use the parents' birth places to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family.

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*The name of a marriage officiator is a clue to their religion or area of residence in the province. However, ministers may have reported marriages performed in other provinces.

*Compile the marriage entries for every person who has the same surname as the bride or groom; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.

*Compile the marriage entries for every person who has the same surname as the bride or groom; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.

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*Continue to search the marriage records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the bride and groom who may have married in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.

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*Use the marital status to identify previous marriages (whether a divorce or death dissolved a previous marriage).

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*Use the marriage number to identify previous marriages.

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*Witnesses often were relatives of the parents.

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*When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

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==== Tips to Keep in Mind ====

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=== Tips To Keep in Mind ===

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Some records are in English and Spanish. Spanish is also used in sections of later records.

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When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

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==== Unable to Find your Ancestor? ====

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For death records, the information in records is usually reliable, but depends upon the knowledge of the informant.

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'''Keep in mind:'''

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For marriage and death records, your ancestors may have used shortened names or nicknames, so pay attention to other relationships (parents, spouse, siblings, children, etc.) that can confirm whether you have the right person/record.

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*Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800s.

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Continue to search the marriage records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the bride and groom who may have married in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.

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*There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another.

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'''If you are unable to find the ancestors you are looking for, try the following:'''

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Continue to search the indexes and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived in the same area or a nearby area.

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*Check for variant spellings of the surnames.

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{{FHL Search Tip

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*Browse the images for records of nearby localities.

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|foreignone=

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|level1=Philippines

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== Known Issues with This Collection ==

== Known Issues with This Collection ==

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{{HR Known Issues}}For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection, see the attached [[Philippines, Local Civil Registration (FamilySearch Historical Records)/Known Issues|Wiki article]]. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

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{{HR Known Issues}}For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection, see the attached [[Philippines, Civil Registration, Local (FamilySearch Historical Records)/Known Issues|Wiki article]]. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

== Related Websites ==

== Related Websites ==

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*[http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?igm=2&i=181 National Archives of the Philippines Brief History]

*[http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?igm=2&i=181 National Archives of the Philippines Brief History]

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

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A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article [[Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections]].

The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records. {{Collection citation | text= "Philippines, Civil Registration (Local), 1888-1983." Images. <i>FamilySearch</i>. http://FamilySearch.org: accessed 2013. Citing National Census and Statistics Office, Manila, Philippines.}}

Title in the Language of the Record

Filipinas, El Registro Civil, Local

Record Description

This collection of records from local civil registry offices throughout the country includes birth, marriage, and death records created at local civil registry offices throughout the Philippines for 1888-1983. Originals are housed at the Bureau of Records Management in Manila, Philippines.

Records are not available for all localities; the coverage varies by city/locality.

Some records are in English and some are in Spanish; see the section "For Help Reading these Records" for access to translation helps.

Additional records will be added to this collection as they become available.

For the most part, the records are handwritten in English. For any written in Spanish, see the section "Help Reading these Records" below.

Record Types

Description

Earliest Year

Latest Year

Civil Registration- Births

1898

1980

Civil Registration - Marriages

1903

1980

Civil Registration - Deaths

1914

1980

Record Content

Birth certificate

Marriage Certificate

Death Certificate

Birth records usually contain the following information:

Province, city and medical facility if birth occurred there

Name and gender of child

Date of birth

Father's name, religion, nationality and race

Father's age, birthplace and occupation

Mother's maiden name, religion, nationality and race

Mother's age and birthplace

How many previous deliveries for mother

Date and place of marriage for parents

Name of priest or informant

Marriage records usually contain the following information:

Date and place of marriage

Groom's name and age

Groom's nationality, residence and marital status

Name of groom's father and his nationality

Maiden name of husband's mother and her nationality

Bride's name and age

Bride's nationality, residence and marital status

Name of bride's father and his nationality

Maiden name of bride's mother and her nationality

Names of the witnesses and their residence

Names of the persons who gave consent to the marriage

Name and title of person who solemnized marriage

Beginning in 1945, birthplace of bride and groom are given

Death records usually contain the following information:

City and province where death occurred

Name of medical institution if death occurred there

Name and gender of deceased (Sometimes the death record for a woman will be filed under her married name and not her maiden name.)

Age given in years, months, days and hours

Date of death

Cause of death

Birthplace and occupation of deceased

Name of surviving spouse, if married

In what country did deceased have citizenship

Parents' names, including mother's maiden name

Name of informant and their relationship to deceased

Name of attending physician

Burial information

How to Use the Records

When searching: As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

Some record sets have indexes; these indexes were created at the end of the year. Copy errors could have been made in the index, so you want to find the actual record to verify the information is correct. Using the index is a helpful way to find the actual record.

See the sections below for tips and uses for searching and finding the record of your ancestor in this collection and using the information in the record.

If you are unable to find a record for your ancestor in this collection, see the corresponding section below.

Search the Collection

To search by index: Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

To search by image: To browse the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select the appropriate "Province" category ⇒Select the appropriate "Municipality" category ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Type" category ⇒Select the appropriate "Year Range" category which will take you to the images

Look at the image and compare the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

For Help Reading these Records

Using the Information

Use the marriage date and place as the basis for compiling a new family group or for verifying existing information.

Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth of each partner to find a couple's birth records and parents' names.

Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find the family in census records Philippines Census.

Use the residence and names of the parents to locate church (see “Related Wiki Articles” section below) and land records Philippines Land and Property.

Use the parents' birth places to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family.

The name of a marriage officiator is a clue to their religion or area of residence in the province. However, ministers may have reported marriages performed in other provinces.

Compile the marriage entries for every person who has the same surname as the bride or groom; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.

Use the marital status to identify previous marriages (whether a divorce or death dissolved a previous marriage).

Witnesses often were relatives of the parents.

Tips To Keep in Mind

When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

For death records, the information in records is usually reliable, but depends upon the knowledge of the informant.

For marriage and death records, your ancestors may have used shortened names or nicknames, so pay attention to other relationships (parents, spouse, siblings, children, etc.) that can confirm whether you have the right person/record.

Continue to search the marriage records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the bride and groom who may have married in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.

Continue to search the indexes and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived in the same area or a nearby area.

Known Issues with This Collection

For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection, see the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to support@familysearch.org. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Contributions to This Article

We welcome user additions to FamilySearch Historical Records wiki articles. Guidelines are available to help you make changes. Thank you for any contributions you may provide. If you would like to get more involved join the WikiProject FamilySearch Records.

Citation for This Collection

The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.